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2.3 National Level
The arrangements for handling civil emergencies in Scotland are based on two principles:
1. the response to major emergencies should primarily be at the local level;
2. in each incident the Scottish Government leads on central government's consequence management response in Scotland. It will work closely with UK Government's emergency arrangements.
In the event of a CBRN incident, with wide or prolonged impacts requiring co-ordination and support from many government departments, (both Scottish and UK), the incident will be led from the Cabinet Office Briefing Room ( COBR), while maintaining close links with SEER and the Scottish Cabinet. National assets will be available to support the response.
On notification of a CBRN incident the Scottish Government 6 will immediately activate its corporate response arrangements. A Duty Officer within the Civil Contingencies Unit ( CCU) is contactable by pager on a 7 day, 24-hour basis and procedures are in place for this Duty Officer to contact appropriate Scottish Government staff and initiate SEER arrangements in the event of an emergency.
The Scottish Executive Emergency Room ( SEER) may be activated to provide appropriate co-ordination and support to the Scottish response. The decision on precisely what elements are activated, will be taken jointly by the Emergency Action Team ( EAT), comprising senior Scottish Government officials. The Emergency Support Team ( EST), comprising Scottish Government officers from the main directorates, will operate SEER and provide the main point of contact with the local Strategic Coordinating Groups. Within SEER a media and communications team will also be established to handle media enquiries and to coordinate media issues on behalf of the Scottish Government. As set out more fully in Preparing Scotland, SEER will maintain a capability to:
- act as the focal point for communication between the Scottish Government and the local Strategic Co-ordinating Groups;
- brief Scottish Ministers;
- consider the need for emergency regulations to be requested; 7
- maintain a strategic picture of the emergency response;
- provide national (Government) co-ordination for multi-level response to wide area emergencies;
- co-ordinate and disseminate information for the public and media at national level as part of a co-ordinated strategy;
- co-ordinate central government support for the local response;
- draw upon and apply Scottish assets and resources to support the local response;
- ensure effective liaison with UK Government Departments and identify issues that cannot be resolved in Scotland; and
- engage with stakeholder interests at Scottish level on matters of interest for Scotland.
In performing the above functions SEER will not interfere in local command and control arrangements unless specifically empowered to do so by emergency regulations.
Where a CBRN incident has a relatively narrow focus a lead government department will be identified within UK Government to work with the Scottish Government and local SCG(s) to co-ordinate each government activity. A single directorate within the Scottish Government may take the lead role if the emergency is limited to its policy area. The Emergency Action Team will also decide on appropriate Scottish Government representation on local strategic and tactical groups to give direct incident management support and to represent the lead department.
Where a UK Department has responsibility that is not devolved to Scotland, the SEER will co-ordinate Scottish Government activity and its integration with that of the relevant UK Department.
A senior official from the Scottish Government, empowered to give answers on costs, will also participate in the Consequence Management SCG and oversee the financial management arrangements. This is intended to provide assurance to local authorities that they will be provided with support and assistance from central government, not only in practical terms at the time of the incident but throughout the recovery process.
In the event of a CBRN incident it is likely that the Scottish Government will convene meetings of the Scottish Emergencies Co-ordinating Committee ( SECC) to advise Ministers and assist in the provision of strategic direction.
THIS CHAPTER TO BE REVIEWED BY DECEMBER 2009
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